Riverdale Animal Shelter in Adams County has a few hundred more animals in their care than during a normal busy summer, in large part due to four large-scale impounds in the county since mid-July.

The shelter, 12155 Park Blvd. in Brighton, takes in more than 8,000 stray, surrendered and abandoned animals every year. It’s housing an unprecedented number of pets, currently caring for about 600 animals when the average number of animals in the shelter’s care on a given day in the busy summer months is about 400.

Since mid-July, Riverdale has added about 300 animals from four large-scale mass impounds in the Adams County, according to shelter spokesperson Tabatha Gormley. Some of those animals were born in the shelter.

Riverdale has taken in another 500-plus animals since mid-July as part of its day-to-day operations.

The most recent mass impound happened in Commerce City in late August, when Demetrio Urbina, 38, and Araceli Urbina, 32, were arrested after police found their young children and dozens of animals living in “squalor” in their house, police said.

Police initially responded to the home, in the 10200 block of East 113th Avenue, to serve a search warrant after Urbina did an unlicensed veterinary procedure on a dog who subsequently died, according to a news release.

When officers arrived, they found three young children and 35 animals inside the home, living in “deplorable conditions,” police said.

Animal Control officers seized 31 dogs and puppies who were mostly confined to small cages inside the garage. Two cats and two guinea pigs were also taken from the home, police said. Police also found the body of a dog inside a trash can that was outside the home.

The other three mass impounds were in Northglenn, Federal Heights and Thornton.

In cases like this one, Riverdale serves as the care and holding facility for impounded animals. They are not able to discuss specific details about the case or the conditions of the pets from the case due the ongoing investigation, Gormley said.

Every animal that comes into their care gets a medical and behavioral assessment, she said. Animals coming from situations like the Urbinas’ home often have more medical and behavioral needs than other animals. 

“Each case is different, so it may be some time before some of these animals are allowed to move forward in our adoption process,” Gormley said.

Riverdale has temporarily paused all non-emergency pet surrenders, but is still taking in animals daily as strays, emergencies, protective custody, and from animal control, she said. People who find lost animals can still bring them to Riverdale.

Other animal shelters across the front range can assist in surrenders when Riverdale can’t, and the shelter’s staff is available to answer questions and provide additional resources. 

Fostering, adopting from Riverdale and donating are all ways to support the shelter through what Gormley called a challenging summer, she said.

“We’ve been incredibly heartened by the outpouring of community support,” she said. “Shelves have been restocked, and volunteer applications are rolling in. It’s been so uplifting for our RAS team, especially during a challenging summer.”

The shelter accepts monetary donations as well as medical supplies, food and other kinds of animal supplies, she said. 

“Adopting is another huge help,” she said. “If you’re ready to add a pet to your family, choosing one from RAS, or from one of our partner shelter, creates space for more animals to come in.”

Fostering homes also open in-shelter spaces, and Gormley encouraged people to consider fostering if they cannot adopt or spreading the word about Riverdale’s foster program. 

“Every share helps connect animals with new families,” she said.